Every year, I look forward to attending the parent-teacher conferences, better known as open houses, at my nine year old daughter's school, Carrington Elementary, in Waterbury, CT. It was toward the end of the last school year when the last open house for the third graders was going to be held. I never imagined that on this day I was going to experience one the most rewarding moments in my life. .
First, my daughter and I arrived at the classroom. It was packed with students and parents. All of the parents wanted to speak to the teacher, Mrs. J. Konans. We were number 11 on the list, so I decided to walk around the busy classroom. Suddenly, out of the crowd, I saw Mrs. Konans approaching us with her distinct way of walking. She told me that she had a very special paper to show me, and she said that she preferred to speak with me after everyone had gone. I thought this was unusual; however, I was not in any rush, and it really did not bother me to stay.
Minutes later, the teacher in a commanding voice asked for everybody's attention. The classroom was quiet, and everyone was intent on listening to what the teacher had to say. She explained that she had 25 children in her class, and that each student was asked to write about who was their hero or whom they admired the most. She also said that she wanted to share a unique passage with an important message written by one her brilliant students. .
Mrs. Konans started reading the passage in a soft and maternal tone of voice. The child who wrote it expressed an immense admiration for his or her mother. His or her mother was everything for that child. The child defined in detail how the mother was always there to protect him or her. For example, how she helped with homework even though her English was not as good as the other people. She did not smoke or drink like people on television. The child also mentioned the considerable challenge to the mother because she was going back to school after so many years, and his or her mother was able to make the Dean's List.